JPS60139069A - Facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the efficiency of facsimile communication by designating a substitute receiving device in case a called receiving device is incapable of communication of picture signals and carrying out the communication between said substitute receiving device and a facsimile transmitter of the calling side. CONSTITUTION:Plural facsimile device groups 3 are provided to respond to the transmission of a transmitting device 1, and a receiving device 4 is called out for reception. Under such conditions, a receiving device 5, for example, is designated if the device 4 is incapable of communication. Thus the device 1 performs communication with the device 5. As a result, the device 1 is not occupied by the facsimile communication to improve the efficiency of facsimile communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication device that transmits and receives image signals between a large-axis transmitter and a receiver, and particularly relates to a facsimile communication system that can reliably transmit image signals to a receiver. It is related to.

tb+ Conventional technology When performing facsimile communication, the facsimile receiving device generally performs processing such as copying when the receiving device has a built-in copying function, when there is no recording paper, or when the circuit system 3 in the device In the case where the mechanical system is out of order, even if the facsimile transmitter calls the facsimile receiver via the exchange line, the transmitter does not respond to the facsimile receiver.

For this reason, when a facsimile transmitting device encounters such a situation, it generally attempts to call the receiving device several times at regular intervals.

However, with these conventional methods, the receiving device is in an automatic receiving state, that is, in an unmanned state.
In addition, there is no recording paper, or there is no image storage type (i.e.,
If the memory is full in a device that stores received image signals in a large-capacity memory and then records and outputs them based on external instructions, one transmitting device cannot perform facsimile communication, so that facsimile communication is This has the disadvantage that the device is occupied by the entire device.

(C1 Purpose) An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile communication system which eliminates one or more of the conventional drawbacks and allows facsimile communication without one transmitting device being occupied by the facsimile communication itself.

Tdl Configuration In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, when a called receiving device is unable to communicate image signals, the receiving device specifies a substitute receiving device, and communicates with that substitute receiving device and the calling side's facsimile transmission. Image signals are communicated with the device.

The facsimile transmission device may be a device that transmits image signals, or may be a device that receives image signals, such as a facsimile device having a so-called polling reception function.

That is, it is sufficient that the facsimile transmitting device is one that makes a call and communicates an image signal.

Furthermore, the facsimile receiving device may be a device that receives image signals or a device that transmits image signals.

In short, any device that can respond to calls made by the facsimile transmitting device and communicate image signals with the facsimile transmitting device may be used.

Further, the means for switching the communication to the substitute facsimile receiving device specified by the means for specifying the substitute facsimile receiving device may be a facsimile calling device or a switching device provided in an exchange line.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given based on an embodiment in which the facsimile transmitting device is a transmitting device that transmits facsimile images, and the facsimile receiving device is a device that receives facsimile images.

+el Example FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation.

In the figure, 1 is a facsimile transmission device, and 2 is a switching center.

3 is a group of facsimile receiving devices, and 4 to 7 are facsimile receiving devices. FIG. 2 shows details of the facsimile transmitting device 1 and the facsimile receiving device 4, including a keyboard 11, and 12a and 12b.

12c, 42a, 42b, 42c are memories, 13.4
3 is a line control unit, 10.40 is a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as CP'U), and 14 is a reading unit.

15.45 is a file device and a large capacity storage device (
(hereinafter referred to as a file), and 46 is a recording section. In the figure, CPIJIo is shown for ease of explanation.

Although the processing flow is shown at 40, it goes without saying that the CPUs 10 and 40 actually read commands from a program memory (not shown) and operate according to the flow.

'First, the outline of the operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

The originating terminal 1 reads out the receiving terminal, for example the receiving terminal 4, connected to the line of the corresponding telephone number by transmitting a PB double signal (button signal) corresponding to the telephone number to the exchange 2. When the receiving terminal 4 is able to receive the image signal, the receiving terminal 4 controls image communication with the transmitting terminal 1 according to a normal protocol, for example, according to the CCITT-GIII or GII protocol protocol. After that, in the case of this embodiment, the image signal is transmitted from the transmitting terminal 1 to the receiving terminal 4.

If reception is not possible, the receiving terminal 4 sends each reception message including a signal indicating that reception is not possible and identification data (including telephone number) of the receiving terminal 4 in the receiving terminal group 3 to receive the reception on behalf of the receiving terminal 4. Terminals 5, 6. '7 identification data (hereinafter referred to as identification data group) are sent back to the originating terminal 1.

Receiving the data from the transmitting terminal 1, disconnects the line with the receiving terminal 4, and selects one receiving terminal, for example, the receiving terminal 5, excluding the receiving terminal 4 from the identification data group notified from the receiving terminal 4. .

The transmitting terminal 1 transmits a PB double signal to the exchange 2 in the same manner as described above in order to connect the selected receiving terminal 5.

If the receiving terminal 5 is capable of receiving, the transmitting terminal 1' receives data indicating that the receiving terminal is a substitute receiving terminal, and then transmits the image signal.

The receiving terminal 5 recognizes from the data that this image signal is received by proxy, and if the receiving terminal 5 is equipped with a large-capacity memory such as a floppy deck, the image data is temporarily stored in this.

When the communication with the originating terminal 1 is completed, the receiving terminal 5 communicates with the ζ receiving terminal 4 via the exchange 2.

The operation of each terminal will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

At the sending terminal 1: The project author sets the original to be sent on the reading section 14, and inputs the telephone number of the other party, that is, the receiving terminal 4, from the keyboard 11. This telephone number is set in the destination memory 12a. .

When the telephone number is set in the destination memory 12a, the CPUI O supplies it to the line control unit 13 and sends it to the receiving terminal 4.
Make a call.

In the receiving terminal 4, when the call detection signal is input to the CPU 40 from the line control section 43, the CPU 40 reads the error flag register 41. Error flag register 41
Various flags are set to indicate an error state or an alarm state, such as when the device cannot receive data due to a failure or when there is no recording paper in the recording section 46. The CPU 40 determines whether the image signal can be received or not depending on the state of this flag. If it is determined that this is not possible, the line control unit 43 first causes 11 calls to be sent to the calling terminal 1 side.

Next, the CPU 40 sends a group of identification data of a group of receiving terminals that can act as a proxy to a memory 42b that stores a proxy table.
, and sends it to the calling terminal 1 side, and then disconnects the line.

When the sending terminal 1 returns data indicating that it cannot be received, the CPU 10 next determines whether a group of already registered identification data has been received.

(Enter “G data?”) When a new m-separate data group is received, this identification data group is stored in the proxy table memory 2.
Register (memory registration and entry) in b.

Furthermore, if it has already been registered in the table memory 2, it will not be registered in the table memory 2b. Next, CPUl
0 determines whether or not the own device transmits on behalf of the original originating terminal (referred to as proxy transmission) as will be described later.

Since it is not proxy transmission at this point, the process moves to the step of selecting the primary and setting the flag ONJ. In the next step, from the proxy table memory 12b, the proxy receiving terminal 5
(shown in Figure 1).

Proxy table memory 1 corresponding to the selected receiving terminal 5
In area 2, a flag is set to indicate that transmission is to be performed on behalf of the receiving terminal 5 at this point, and a flag is set in the area of the receiving terminal 4, which originally transmitted, to indicate that transmission is not possible. Also, at this point, the telephone number of the receiving terminal 4 is transferred from the destination memory 12a to the identification data area 12C. After that, the destination memory 12a
The telephone number of the selected receiving terminal 5 is set in , and the process returns to the transmission start step.

Note that since the structure and operation of the receiving terminal 5 acting as a proxy are similar to those of the receiving terminal 4, the operation of the receiving terminal 5 when performing proxy reception will be explained using the operation flow of the receiving terminal 4.

First, the transmitting device 1 executes the transmission start step described above.

However, in this case, the P sent to exchange 2 (shown in Figure 1)
This is the P13 signal of the substitute receiving terminal 5 which has selected the B-fold signal.

The receiving terminal (5 in this case) determines whether reception is possible in its CPtJ5 as described above. If reception is not possible, the same processing as described above is performed.

If possible, a message indicating that reception is possible is sent to the originating terminal 1.

When the transmitting terminal 1 receives that the receiving terminal (5) is capable of receiving data, it determines whether or not the identification data of the receiving terminal that should originally receive the data is stored in the identification data area 12c. (
Is it proxy reception? ) When it is determined that the receiving terminal (5) is to receive data on behalf of the receiving terminal (5), the process moves to the next step.

In the next step, the identification data including the telephone number data of the receiving terminal 4 that should originally be received is read from the identification data memory area 12C, and transmitted to the receiving terminal (5) side, and the next step is to wait for reception (fill in "Is it OK?") to move to.

On the other hand, upon receiving the identification data, the receiving terminal (5)
U40 determines this data. (Enter "Is it proxy data?") When it is determined that the received data is identification data in each step, the next step is to read out the identification data group of the terminal that can serve as proxy from the proxy table memory 42b, and write "Is it registered in memory?" ”
In the determination step written as , it is determined whether the currently received identification data is included in the read identification data group. That is, the proxy table memory 42b stores identification data of a plurality of devices, including the self, as a device group that can act as a proxy even if any pre-registered device becomes unable to receive data. Conversely, if table memory 4
If identification data that is not registered in 2b is received, the self-device is deemed to be unworthy of acting as a substitute, and the device is marked as “non-returnable.”
Proceed to the entry step and notify the sending terminal 1 that reception is not possible.

This makes it possible to exclude reception of image signals from other receiving terminals that do not belong to the group, thereby preventing fraud.

Furthermore, if the received identification data belongs to that group, the destination data 42c notifies the sending device 1 that the received identification data can be received.

As mentioned above, the CPU of the transmitting device 1 is in the state of waiting for reception (Step 1 of writing whether it is OK or not), so based on the received data indicating whether reception is possible or not, if the data indicates that reception is possible, the next If the data indicates that the image signal cannot be received, go to the "Send image signal" step, select the next substitute terminal ("
Proceed to each step marked "Select Next/Turn Flag ON".

In the step of selecting the next proxy reception terminal, the next proxy reception terminal is selected from the proxy table memory area 12b and the flag of that terminal is turned ON in the same manner as described above. If the flags of all terminals are in the ON state, the line is disconnected.

On the other hand, this is data indicating that reception is possible, and when the process moves to the step of "sending image signal", CPU10 starts up the reading section 14 and file 15, stores the image signal read from the reading section 14 in file 15, and sends the image signal. is sent to the receiving terminal (5), and the line is disconnected.

The storage timing of the image signal from the reading unit 14 to the file 15 is determined by setting the telephone number from the key panel 11 and
For example, the timing may be the timing when a transmission activation button such as a "send" key is pressed. In this case, the "image signal transmission" step is simply a step of reading the image signal from the file 15 and transmitting it to the receiving terminal side. In the receiving terminal (5), the CPU 40 transmits the received image signal to the file 45. When storing the image, enter ``Receive image and store in file'' (Ste knob).

At this point, the line will be disconnected.

When the reception terminal (5) completes the reception of all the new images, it determines whether the identification data is written in the memory 42C. (Step of filling in "Are you a proxy reception?") If no identification data is stored, the process moves to the "Record" step. In this "recording" step, the CPU 40 records the file 4.
The image signal stored in 5 is supplied to the recording section 46 to reproduce the image.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination step that the identification data is stored, the identification data (memory 42C,
data stored in the destination memory 12a of the transmitting device 1.
corresponds to A cent is written to the memory 42a.

If the receiving terminal (5) has the same function as the transmitting terminal 1, the CPU 4O is set in the destination memory 42a, and then the process moves to the transmission disclosure step. The operation of the transmitting terminal 1 in FIG. 2 will be explained by regarding it as this proxy and receiving terminal (5).

After setting the destination memory and entering the transmission start step, the operation is similar to that during normal transmission, but the difference from the normal transmission operation is the runner-up.

That is, after the step of registering the identification data group (the step of writing "memory registration") or after it is determined that the received data is the same as the already registered identification data group, the CPU 40 determines whether or not it is a proxy transmission. Execute the determination step. As a result, since it is a proxy transmission, the process moves to the step of setting a timer (the step of writing "timer").

Here, when it comes to the time amplifier, the data in the destination data memory (memory equivalent to 42C, not shown) is transferred again to the destination memory 12a, re-transmission is performed, and this process is repeated. In addition, in the judgment step of writing "Send on behalf of", rY
In other words, after the determination of proxy transmission is made, for example, a new proxy transmission counter or the like is newly provided, and a number determination step is provided in which this counter is updated and it is determined whether or not a certain number of times has been reached. In addition, if a certain number of times is reached in this number of times determination step, the line may be disconnected, and for example, as described later, the line is disconnected.
The contents of the file 15 corresponding to 5 may be deleted. Furthermore, the line may be disconnected, and the stored image signal may be sent out when a call is received from the receiving terminal that should originally receive the signal. Also, the line is disconnected, and on the terminal,
The ID data of the person who should receive the image is input from a key (not shown), and the corresponding data is received as identification data from the sending terminal in advance, and when the data matches, it is output to the recording section 46 of the terminal. Also good.

(fl) Effects As described above, according to the present invention, the acting facsimile communication terminal receives the image of the facsimile sending terminal on behalf of the facsimile sending terminal, so the image can be reliably transferred, and one facsimile sending terminal can be transmitted to many receiving terminals. When transmitting image signals to other terminals, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of not being able to transmit the next signal due to a failure in one receiving terminal.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, if the facsimile receiving terminal group 3 of the embodiment is installed in the same region, for example, in the same factory, and the facsimile transmitting terminal is installed in a remote location from the receiving terminal, the facsimile receiving terminal group 3 of the embodiment Since it can also be sent, it has the effect of lowering telephone charges.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a facsimile transmission device, and 2 is a switching center. 3 is a group of facsimile receiving devices, 4 to 7 are facsimile transmitting devices, and 10.40 is a microprocessor. 41 is an error flag, and 42b is a proxy table memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A facsimile transmitting device that performs image signal communication; a plurality of facsimile receiving devices that respond to the transmissions from the facsimile transmitting device; and means for specifying a facsimile receiving device, and when the facsimile transmitting device is specified as another facsimile receiving device by the predetermined facsimile receiving device,
A facsimile communication method characterized in that an image signal to be communicated with the predetermined facsimile receiving device is communicated with the other facsimile receiving device.